Safe Travels

Photo by TheGiantVermin

If you are planning a trip out of town for the holidays, you most likely have already got your kennel or pet sitter lined up. If not, this late in the date, you might be out of luck! Getting a kennel for the holidays late in the year is like trying to get a sitter on a Friday night.

Assuming you have your kennel or pet sitter already, make sure you are taking your pet to a reputable place — recommended by friends or your veterinarian. Make sure your pet's shots are all current, especially bordetella. Bordetella, more commonly known as kennel cough, spreads like wild fire through kennels, and it benefits both you and the kennel owner for your pet to be current on this vaccine. It's very treatable and not communicable to humans, but it is still no fun for your pet or you. Once that is done, use this handy list to get your pet ready to go!

• Take sufficient food +1 day (changing diet is hard on your pet)
• Leashes
• Collars with proper identification securely attached
• Sufficient medication for all days +1 day in a properly labeled container
• Blankets - these are often not provided
• Chew bone - choose a big enough bone not to fit through the cage to other animals
• Copy of vet vaccination records

Good planning should ensure both you and your pet make it through the Holidays both happy and healthy!